Children's Museum employee gets fired after insisting on better treatment for fish: 'It is not your place to give me advice'

Sometimes in life, you just have to learn lessons the hard way. The older and wiser you get, the less that'll happen! But when you're still young or fresh in a workspace, you may accidentally mess up the dynamics and end up getting punished, or worse, let go.

This person was put in an unfortunate situation: they discovered an entire tank of fish had passed away! 

They admitted that they "grieved" the loss of their fine fishy friends, and had some strong words to pass on to management about that. Basically, they heavily advocated for there to be no replacement fish, since they feel that people weren't able to care for the little critters well enough.

 Unfortunately, the manager didn't agree. This person pushed back, and the manager used a key phrase that should have made this person stop in their tracks. When your higher-up says that "If this continues to be a concern, then we may need to have a larger conversation about your role and responsibilities," that absolutely must be a blaring alarm for you as the employee. You have to know that that is code for "If you don't stop bugging me about this, we're going to kick you to the curb." 

For a seasoned employee, this would be the biggest flashing red alarm a boss could say to you. But of course, if you're young, idealistic, or have strong feelings about something, that could be overlooked in the moment. This person chose to double down on a topic they felt quite passionately about.

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Author image for Remy Millisky Remy Millisky
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  • Once this happens to you once or twice, you start to realize that you're just a cog in the machine. You can't really make big changes at any job you're in. It's a nice thought, but that's just not how the real world works. You should still be the change you want to see in the world… but that change might mean you walk out the door and find yourself a job that's more aligned with your own values. Forget about that place, and find somewhere that feels right for you, no big changes needed. Not to mention that this person clearly has a lot of empathy, and that'll absolutely be appreciated in some workspaces, whereas here, it's seen as an irritation and a liability.

  • 01

    Here's where the drama started: this individual gave their opinion to the boss

    Also, i urge us not to get more fish. There's no one here that knows how to properly care for them and I don't think that's fair to them. Just giving my opinion because I can't control what is decided in that respect, but I'd be disappointed to see us get more fish after this.
    via u/BogusDuck
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  • 02

    Boss did not agree!

    L 9:21 T Taylor > Hi Gavin, I appreciate your opinion on the fish, but ultimately this is my decision. Our last fish (while in my care) lived for over three years, and I take that responsibility seriously. I simply needed help getting the tank back to the standard I wanted, which is why I've been in touch with Fish Cave about their services. It was a poor call on Erica's part to give fish off the truck, but that is not something I can change now. What I can do is make sure we're moving forward w
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 03
    I disagree with the decision but I get it. I'm not calling you a bad fish owner, I'm saying no one has the proper knowledge or materials incase of an emergency. I'll personally make sure I become knowledgeable and buy the proper tools incase of something like this happening again. This comes from care for the fish, not from any sort of disdain for you. I know it's not typical for someone to care about the fish the way i do, but I do care for them as if they were a fellow human living in that tan
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 04
    Gavin- I have the proper equipment, filters, food, ect. Erica walked me through very throughly when we were cleaning the tank. I will make sure that the fish come off your list and move back to mine. I understand your beliefs, but unfortunately again, it is not your place to give me advice on behalf of this. Thank you have a good weekend.
    via u/BogusDuck
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  • 05
    For context, I'm the assistant manager (manager of the staff) and the front desk person at a Children's Museum.
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 06
    Over the weekend, i discovered the fish tank unplugged at my work. The fish was d ng and I tried everything i could to save him but had no luck (My boss didn't
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 07
    Blue and purple beta fish in clear tank with clear rocks, to the right a man in orange shirt and glasses and folded arms looks toward the fish
    via Pham Hien Triet on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • 08
    let me leave to get anything that could help). I believe all animals should be respected as if they are a fellow human so I didn't take this lightly and grieved
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 09
    for this fish. I texted my boss the next day giving my opinion about keeping fish here when no one has the training or knowledge (even if
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 10
    she does, she isn't here all the time nor is willing to come in for such emergencies). She also leaves for trips so it's helpful for someone else to
    via u/BogusDuck
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  • 11
    have knowledge (like myself). I know i was a bit emotionally charged in my messages, but was this enough to be fired over? I've had no issues in the
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 12
    past and no serious writeups. I've done really well at my job and have consistently gone above and beyond what is asked of me, enough to be
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 13
    promoted to staff manager after 6 months of working there. I can see how what i said is disrespectful but in my opinion this could have been a
    via u/BogusDuck
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  • 14
    write-up, not an immediate termination. Aio?
    via u/BogusDuck
  • 15
    rackfu What do you mean "no serious write ups"? You've only been there 6 months, how
    via u/rackfu
  • 16
    many write ups do you have? Your boss seemed frustrated after just the first text, was this the last straw?
    via u/rackfu
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  • 17
    Individual-... Being fired seems a bit harsh, but I think you doubling down with the second text is what did you in.
    via u/Individual-Dog-1077
  • 18
    Next time know to share your opinion once and then let it go.
    via u/Individual-Dog-1077
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10560631808
    via Tim Mossholder on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • 20
    roxyshusba... i think you messed up when you pushed it in your second text you said your piece and should have moved on
    via u/roxyshusband
  • 21
    being fired seems extreme but i mean if you were gonna be fired for being sad about de d fish you
    via u/roxyshusband
  • 22
    probably would've been fired for something else eventually
    via u/roxyshusband
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